February 28, 2010

Zazzlers In Need

Zazzler Causes was started to showcase Cause and Awareness related designs. I have been moved to make an addition to this. With so many artist involved there are sure to be Zazzlers who are disabled or have family members that are. In some cases Zazzle may be a way to help supplement their income. For others it may be their sole source. Some may have become unemployed and are having trouble finding work.

If you are or know of a Zazzler in need I may feature them here and on the Facebook Page. Leave a post here or on the Zazzler Causes Facebook Discussion post.

There is a stipulation. In keeping with my faith I post only family friendly designs and do not post anything pagan or otherwise anti-Christian. This includes non-biblical holidays.

Thanks and may Yahweh bless you!

February 23, 2010

Asperger syndrome


All the artist showcased until now have cause or awareness related designs. Today will be just a little different. I was recently told of a Zazzle artist Randall Klopping who has been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder though differs from others by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development. Symptoms include significant difficulties in social interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. Randall loves to create and says "As far as I can remember, I have always sought to represent things in a visual manner. A trait I suspect comes from the Asperger’s syndrome, a form of Autism without the speech impediment." As seen by his art he is very creative.

Hopefully Randall will forgive me as I would like to add a big part of his bio here.
In an accident in 1992 I was crushed by a pickup and car, which left me able to spend less and less time standing or sitting. Though often my disabilities make it difficult and stressful for me, my goals are simple in principle. My short term goals are to earn enough money for nessetities, a new mattress & memory foam pad for my bed, have safety handles installed so I can safely shower on a regular basis and to be able to afford to pay someone to clean the heck out of my home (haven't been able to keep up with cleaning for years). My long term goal is the most difficult, some might say impossible but I intend to truly build a life for myself and have the dignity that comes from fully supporting oneself with all my hard work.

You can help Randall reach his goals and receive some truly amazing works of art in return. To see more of his designs and to make a purchase please visit teknowizard's Store at Zazzle.

February 18, 2010

Multiple Sclerosis


Multiple sclerosis (MS), also known as Disseminated Sclerosis or Encephalomyelitis Disseminata, is a disease in which the fatty Myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to Demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms. MS affects the ability of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to communicate with each other.

Most people experience their first symptoms of MS between the ages of 20 and 40; the initial symptom of MS is often blurred or double vision, red-green color distortion, or even blindness in one eye. Most MS patients experience muscle weakness in their extremities and difficulty with coordination and balance. These symptoms may be severe enough to impair walking or even standing. In the worst cases, MS can produce partial or complete paralysis. Most people with MS also exhibit Paresthesias, transitory abnormal sensory feelings such as numbness, prickling, or "pins and needles" sensations. Other symptoms may include: Speech impediments, tremors, and dizziness are other frequent complaints. Occasionally, people with MS have hearing loss. Approximately half of all people with MS experience cognitive impairments such as difficulties with concentration, attention, memory, and poor judgment, but such symptoms are usually mild and are frequently overlooked. Depression is another common feature of MS. There is no medical cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

Tee Thyme, a Zazzle artist whose own daughter suffers from MS wishes to raise awareness about this debilitating disease. Please visit Tee Thyme's store at Zazzle for more products and to help raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis.

February 11, 2010

Haiti Relief

Many wonderful people have pitched in to help Haiti. They are still not out of the woods yet and will not be for some time to come. hearts4haiti's Store at Zazzle has beautiful and diverse stickers, by talented Zazzle designers, dedicated to increase awareness and raise funds for Haiti. All designer profit goes to Hope For Haiti. Rather than show a single image I have included the flash panel below to showcase the designs offered. If the panel links do not work properly please use the store link above. It will take you to the main store where you can see all the designs.

February 3, 2010

Autism Awareness


Instead of siting facts and statistics relating to Autism I want to talk about one of it's effects on society. Autism tends to shed light on the character of those who do not have it. This ability is shared by other diseases and afflictions. I am certain many of you have seen this ability in action. Those afflicted and their family members have definitely seen it. Take the following as an example.

A person with Autism or maybe a burn victim decides to go to the zoo. They take in the sights, the smells, and the beautiful scenery. Others there have been doing the same thing. The bunches of people stroll along likely brushing against one another while trying to get a better look at the monkeys as they do what monkeys do. A security camera at the zoo takes it all in. When watched later the video can be used as a lesson in human behavior instead of animal. An attentive student will notice not many people brush against the Autistic or burn victim. In fact a break in the general pattern of the zoo visitors is evident. You can see more unattended space around our subject. Also many have turned their gaze from the animals and are now staring at the center of this space. Strangely some parents are even directing their children away from it. It's as if they are protecting them from something unpleasant or even dangerous. An attentive student may also notice something else. The look on many the faces has become less intelligent than the animals they came to see.

We all know that this really happens. I often wonder why some people react this way. Why look at the victim of a disease or accident with distaste, fear, or loathing? Not to take away from the design above but here is another idea for a t-shirt. Those with a disease or deformity can have a mirror on their shirts. That way the people gawking at them can see how ridiculous they themselves look smiley.

The creator of the design above is the mother of an Autistic son. She does not want people staring at him. Please visit mrs_eke's Store at Zazzle for more wonderful designs and to help raise awareness. Thank you.

February 2, 2010

Walk for a cause - March of Dimes


The March Of Dimes was born in the United states from the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Their mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. Comedian Eddie Cantor coined the phrase March Of Dimes to describe and annual fund raising event held in January by the Foundation. Eddie became one of the promoters for the event. After his death in 1945 President Roosevelt was commemorated with his face on the dime which was first minted in 1946.

The Walk for a cause design above was created by a Zazzle artist who goes by bkang22. About the design she says "I walk for a cause - to save babies. In memory of my grandson all proceeds will be donated to March of Dimes. The footprints are from my grandson who was born at 26 weeks, we hope to help other families to avoid leaving the hospital without their baby as my daughter and son in law did." About her Zazzle store she says "All proceeds will be donated to mesothelioma research in memory of my Uncle (12/31/08) , March of Dimes in memory of my grandson (11/12/97) & Breast Cancer Research in memory of Onelia Barcon 4/12/07."

Please visit bkang22's Store at Zazzle for many more beautiful designs and to help with the charities she supports.